Chapter Forty-Seven: Lin Wenyan's Resolve

The candy was filthy, and his hands were hardly clean either. Lin Sangqian felt a wave of discomfort, but knowing she couldn't show it, she shook her head and said, "I don't like sweets."

"How could you not like sweets?" Tian Liu sounded anxious. He had planned to use the candy to win Lin Sangqian over and get closer to her, making things easier for himself. He never expected her to refuse.

After a moment’s thought, he blurted out thoughtlessly, "But you used to love sweets! I remember before, you even barked like a dog just to get a piece of candy. You were just like a little puppy, hahaha!"

Lin Sangqian's expression darkened instantly.

Her three brothers' faces also changed. Lin Wenyen seized Tian Liu by the collar, his voice furious: "What did you say?"

"What? Looking for a fight?" Tian Liu showed no fear. He was much heavier and three years older than Lin Wenyen, who was thin and delicate—how could he be a match for Tian Liu?

With a shove, Tian Liu sent Lin Wenyen stumbling back several steps, nearly making him fall.

"Big Brother!" Lin Sangqian hurried to help him.

Seeing this, Lin Yanbei and Lin Beitao's faces also filled with anger, and they clenched their fists, ready to step forward.

Unfortunately, both were even smaller and slighter than Lin Wenyen.

Worried her brothers would suffer, Lin Sangqian quickly said, "Don't fight. If the villagers see, it won't look good."

Then she turned to Tian Liu, her voice stern: "I've never wronged you. Please stop causing trouble for us!"

She might have looked young, but her presence was commanding. For a moment, Tian Liu was actually cowed by her, only managing a forced grin after a while. "How is this causing trouble? I just wanted to be friends with you all. Anyway, it was Lin Wenyen who started it."

"There's no need! Let’s stay out of each other's way," Lin Sangqian replied coldly.

Lin Beitao chimed in at the right moment, "My brother only acted because you insulted our little sister. If you do this again, we’ll go to the village chief!"

Mention of the chief still carried weight. Tian Liu’s face stiffened, but he muttered resentfully, "Why so fierce? What’s so great about you all?" Then he turned and ran off.

Lin Sangqian frowned as she watched his fat figure retreat. She couldn't shake the feeling that Tian Liu was not as simple as he appeared.

In the original owner's memories, Tian Liu had always ignored the siblings. Why was he suddenly trying to get close today?

Turning around, Lin Sangqian noticed that Lin Wenyen’s expression was off. She asked, "Big Brother, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Lin Wenyen forced a smile. He had only been pushed—physically, he was unharmed. But inside, he was filled with regret.

As the eldest brother, he ought to protect his siblings, yet he couldn’t even stand up for his sister. He’d heard every word of Tian Liu’s humiliation, but hadn’t managed even a single exchange, nearly being knocked over instead.

He clenched his fists in frustration.

He had to become stronger—only then could he protect his family!

"That Tian Liu is infuriating," Lin Beitao said. "It’s a pity we couldn’t teach him a lesson!"

Lin Sangqian was about to say something when Lin Yanbei spoke up: "We’re no match for him now. If we fought, we’d only suffer for it. It’s wiser to wait for the right moment and give him his due when we’re ready. Not all grudges must be settled immediately."

Lin Sangqian paused, realizing that Lin Yanbei had voiced what she’d been thinking.

After this incident, the four siblings lost all desire to stroll any longer. Lin Sangqian had originally wanted to ask her brothers about house prices in town, but now didn’t feel like it. The four returned home in silence.

Liao Shuxia was already asleep. Lin Hongda had wanted to chop some firewood in the yard but, not wanting to wake her, sat watching the stars instead.

Seeing the four return with downcast expressions, he quickly asked, "What happened? Did something go wrong?"

The three brothers said nothing. Lin Sangqian replied, "Nothing much, we just ran into Tian Liu and he upset us."

Lin Hongda searched his memory and quickly recalled what kind of person Tian Liu was. He glanced at Lin Wenyen, noticing he seemed to have something on his mind, and said to the other three, "You all go rest first."

"Alright."

Once the others had gone inside, only Lin Hongda and Lin Wenyen remained in the yard.

"Is there something you want to say?" Lin Hongda asked gently.

Lin Wenyen hung his head. After a long silence, he said, "I want to learn martial arts properly."

Lin Hongda smiled, "I know. Of the three brothers, you’ve always been the most dedicated."

"Not just that!" Lin Wenyen suddenly looked up, his eyes shining. "I want to keep learning, to be as skilled as you, Father—no, even better! I want to be able to drive off anyone who bullies us!"

Lin Hongda froze for a moment, then was so overcome he nearly wept with joy.

Good! At last, someone to carry on!

"Are you sure?" Lin Hongda asked solemnly. "If you choose this path, you cannot give up halfway."

"I will never quit!"

"Good!" said Lin Hongda, extending his fist. "In that case, I will teach you everything I know. I hope, one day, you’ll surpass even me!"

Lin Wenyen nodded firmly and bumped his fist against his father's.

…

After last night’s spicy hotpot, Lin Sangqian decided to make something light for breakfast. She cooked a big pot of egg congee and prepared shredded cucumber.

After breakfast, she planned to go into town. She wanted to see if there was a school suitable for her brothers and to find out how much it would cost to rent a house.

Lin Wenyen was up early, already training in the yard with Lin Hongda. Upon hearing she was heading to town, Lin Hongda told his other two sons to accompany her.

"Take good care of your sister," Lin Hongda reminded them. "If anything happens, go find Master Di Qing."

With Guo Da and Wang Dameng now in custody, and no other enemies in town, Lin Hongda felt reassured letting the three of them go.

"Don’t worry, Dad! You can count on me!" Lin Beitao patted his chest in promise.

Lin Hongda was amused and also comforted. The three sons, once wary of him, had now let go of their former misgivings and truly accepted him as their father.

The three siblings set out for town. Lin Sangqian, now much stronger and empty-handed, chose to walk rather than take the ox cart.

As soon as they arrived, they ran into Di Qing.